The northern half of Old Mission Peninsula lost power Monday - with several areas also experiencing Spectrum internet outages - after an underground electric line caught fire and traveled up an above-ground pole. Though some Consumers Energy customers received text alerts that power could be restored as soon as 8:30pm Monday, Township Supervisor Maura Sanders says the utility company told her restoration work could take at least 30 hours.

What caused the fire to start on an underground line near vineyards east of Horizon Hills neighborhood still isn't known, according to Sanders and Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff. But once it traveled up the pole, the fire spread to surrounding grasslands. Grand Traverse County was under a high fire risk Monday. Gilstorff said the grassland fire was quickly contained and did not impact any vineyards. However, fire crews had to wait to douse the pole fire until Consumers Energy could confirm the power was off, since "high-voltage lines and water don't mix," he notes. 

The fire affected both power lines and Spectrum internet lines. Old Mission Peninsula School closed early and sent students home for the day. Peninsula Market, Jolly Pumpkin, Peninsula Grill, and other businesses also closed until power is restored. Sanders says Consumers Energy told her some "pockets" of neighborhoods could see power restored soon, but that the utility company warned her it could take 30 or more hours to fully restore power to Old Mission Peninsula.

Photo credit: Cory Reamer